Drag Racing Discussions > Front Engine Dragsters
Making that first run in your new car
KennyB:
If you do Facebook, Don Ewald had a few shots of the accident. Too bad it happened.
grapro:
Attention taken, I was lucky enough to do my first passes in my new car this weekend. I was out at a local track here in Alberta Canada called Medicine Hat. I had already had all my medical stuff done for my license to make sure I would be fine in the car. I went out for a weekend of testing and tuning and was a bit intimidated at first, new guy in a new car but the guys at the track made me feel alright. I started my first run off with just a launch only and a run down track at mid power. I was totally amazed how the car hooked up it caught me off guard, been through it lots of times in a door car but nothing like this and I even forgot to shift at first, too many things running through my head at first. Went back to the pits and a couple of racers and track officials came by and asked how it was and proceeded to give me a tonne of pointers on what I should do. Made me feel real good and put my head in another place. Second run another launch and good full power run for a hundred yards or so, it felt good made it into second gear and was happy all went well. Fellow racers come by and we went over the run and more comments and pointers and they said see how I feel and maybe think about licensing if it goes well but only drive as I feel comfortable if it doesn't feel right don't do it, back out there always is another time. Third run was a good launch full power just past half and it was amazing how it felt, Everyone was happy with the pass. We were getting ready for the next pass and had a problem with start up, my reverse lockout wasn't working and it shut us down for the night. Spent most of the night running through what I had to do on start up and how to calm down and we headed off to the track and got all set up and went to test the emergency shutdown and the brand new switch didn't work. ending up taking it apart and repaired it and we were ready to run again. Totally last all my calmness I built up from the night before. Third run and it felt good stayed into it about 2/3's down the track nice shutdown and everything. Now for the final two passes and flat out if I wanted to get my license. Lots of coaching and comment from the drivers watching me but always telling me to just go as long as it feels right and to back off if I'm not comfortable. I got to staging cleared the first light took a deep breath and inched ahead and watched the second yellow and when the last yellow hit I was on it and went flat out , it felt amazing and it went down the track beautifully nice feeling and before I knew it was shutdown. Final run same thing thought about what everyone told me and concentrated took my breaths between the lights and nailed it took off amazing got a bit squirrely and was just going to let off and the car straightened out and ran down the rest of the track like arrow. Not too fast but my last two full runs were at 10.23 and 10.27 but at our altitude the local racers said that it would be fine for the licensing. So a couple of them and the track official allowing me to have the completed paperwork for my license. Roo I totally understand how it could go crazy, all my runs I limited my rpm to 6000 had a lot more to go but I wanted to come home in one piece for fathers day. I think the mental part of racing about getting every thing inline in your head is a lot more important than just acting like a macho dude and nailing it and showing off to every and putting people in danger. It was a amazing weekend and as from this forum and the fellow racers that helped me out this weekend the best thing that I learnt is the time you are too old to listen to someone offering help is the time you are too old to race. Thanks again to You and everyone else offering help all the time on this forum.
masracingtd1167:
I found this on Facebook ! Was it Bob Lombardie ? I don't know him personally but I do know he has been doing this for a while so it just goes to show you that even an experienced driver can get in trouble too!I hope he is ok !
wideopen231:
Another note on first shots. Some times you can go too easy on leave. Did this with TA/FC and shook half brain out left ear hole. Found out you had to leave hard and then back out(slowly). Now with NA car thats probable not a issue.
I remember first time I dropped hammer on TA/D. Man by 300 feet I was thinking do I want to hold this thing down or not. Heck I am the crazy guy in most any crowd. First 5 times it was like warp drive on star trak. By 10th run its like Sunday drive at 240 mph.
I always go with gut.If it feels wrong it probably is. I tell any new driver if uncomforstable shut it down,if anyone has any thing to say send them my way. Never really been a problem most drivers appreciate non stupid driver taking their time.Its the billy bad a-- that most can't stand.
I hate the man crashed newcar I hate it even more that it has our colors on it. especailly with me getting closer to making smoke and noise.
Good to hear driver did seem to be hurt.
masracingtd1167:
--- Quote from: wideopen231 on June 22, 2015, 02:59:34 PM --- Another note on first shots. Some times you can go too easy on leave. Did this with TA/FC and shook half brain out left ear hole. Found out you had to leave hard and then back out(slowly). Now with NA car thats probable not a issue.
I remember first time I dropped hammer on TA/D. Man by 300 feet I was thinking do I want to hold this thing down or not. Heck I am the crazy guy in most any crowd. First 5 times it was like warp drive on star trak. By 10th run its like Sunday drive at 240 mph.
I always go with gut.If it feels wrong it probably is. I tell any new driver if uncomforstable shut it down,if anyone has any thing to say send them my way. Never really been a problem most drivers appreciate non stupid driver taking their time.Its the billy bad a-- that most can't stand.
I hate the man crashed newcar I hate it even more that it has our colors on it. especailly with me getting closer to making smoke and noise.
Good to hear driver did seem to be hurt.
--- End quote ---
Shook half of your brains out ! Now I understand !!!!
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